Central West Western Plains Rural Report, Friday August 16, 2013

Grain handler, Cooperative Bulk Handling has been asking growers if they'd be interested in developing a cooperative on the east coast of Australia.

The NSW Farmers Association will be meeting with the company in coming weeks to discuss the idea further.

The Association, like CBH, isn't really giving away much detail about things at this stage, NSWF Grain Committee chair Daniel Cooper says they're not pushing for any particular outcome at the meeting.

Goats - from Forbes to the Ekka and beyond

Marty McCarthy

Australia is the world's largest goat meat exporter...it's a serious business and nowhere more so than at the Ekka this week.

Forbes goat breeder Paul Ormsby is busy judging at the big Queensland agriculture show and he's also about to take his talents further afield.

For someone who has been in the industry for only four years, he's making a big mark.

Fixing the black spots?

Sally Bryant

The Coalition election promise of a 100 million dollar package to address mobile black spots has caused quite a bit of comment across regional Australia.

Coalition regional communications spokesman Luke Hartsuyker says communities which have high visitor numbers and are at risk of natural disaster will be high on the priority list.

Coonabarabran farmer Elliot Shannon says unreliable mobile coverage was a big factor during the January bushfires in the Warrumbungle National Park, and the park attracts thousands of visitors each year.

He says he welcomes the idea, but he thinks 'the devil could be in the detail'.

Commodities

Wheat futures:

September wheat has risen 7 cents to 637.4December wheat is also up; 6.4 cents to 649.2

Canola:

November Canola has risen $8.40 to $502.60 CanadianJanuary Canola has risen $8.40 to $508.50 Canadian

Cotton:

The October contract has risen .19 of a cent to sit at 91.64 centsThe December contract has risen .24 of a cent, now at 91.79